NYT Mini October 12, 2025: 1D - Use crayons, e.g.

Answer: COLOR

5 letters

Verb Focus

The clue uses "Use crayons" as a verb phrase, signalling that the answer should also be a verb. COLOR fits perfectly, balancing the part of speech and matching the five-letter enumeration. Recognizing this verb form prevents solvers from drifting toward nouns like CRAYON or ARTIST that do not align with the clue's wording.

Cross-Letter Support

C from CARD establishes the opening consonant.
O overlaps with JOKER and LOTUS, two core across entries.
R aligns with TRAPS while the final R meets DRESS, reinforcing the symmetrical structure.

Solving Strategy

Look for e.g. in clues—it often signals a broader action or category. Here it tells you to think about the act of using crayons rather than the tool itself. Keeping that nuance in mind speeds up verb-based fills across Minis and weekday puzzles.

Beyond the Grid

COLOR surfaces constantly in puzzle land, sometimes clued via British spelling COLOUR or through idioms like "color outside the lines." Add these variations to your memory bank for broader coverage.

← Back to October 12, 2025 Puzzle

NYT Mini October 12, 2025: 1D - Use crayons, e.g.

Answer: COLOR

Verb Focus

Cross-Letter Support

Solving Strategy

Beyond the Grid

NYT Mini Puzzle Crossword

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